Too many toys

Does your family suffer from pervasive toy overexposure syndrome?

During the past three decades, there has been a growing number of young adults who have grown up to believe that happiness and a high self-esteem are associated with having the latest and greatest gadgets.

Some experts believe this thought process develops as a result of having too many toys as a child.

Here are some revealing signs that your children may have too many toys. They:

• Don't take care of their toys.
• Are demanding.
• Don't appreciate items they receive.
• Have a difficult time entertaining themselves.

Parenting is not for the weak of heart. Here are some tips to helpæparents in this situation:

• Don't be afraid to say no to your children's toy demands.
• Take away toys that your children refuse to take care of or pick up.
• Return gifts and toys that are not graciously received or are not appreciated.

In the short term, some of the most effective things we do as parents will make our kids upset. However, the long-term gains are worth some brief unpleasantness.